Starting of internal-combustion engines



March 25, 1952 c, J, MOODY 2,590,445

STARTING OF' INTENAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed March 13, 1950 llll/11111111 JNVENToR. CLARK JJMOODY ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 25, 1952 STARTING OF INTERNAL- COMBUSTION ENGINES Clark J.Moody, New York, N. Y., assignor to California Research Corporation, SanFrancisco, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application March 13, 1950,Serial No. 149,288

18 Claims. 1

This invention relates to the starting of internal combustion engines incold weather, and is particularly concerned with the provision of newand advantageous means for discharging starting-fluid into the engine.

Fluid, containing ethyl ether as its major component, and suitable forquickly starting internal combustion engines in frigid weather, attemperatures as low as 40 F., has been available on the market foryears. The invention disclosed in my application Serial No. 33,365,filed June 16, 1948, now Patent No. 2,516,787, June 25, 1950, obviatesthe hazards incident to the prior practice in the storage of theinflammable and explosive starting or priming fluid. In accordance withthe disclosure in that application, a charge of starting fluid,sufficient for one starting of/the engine, is stored in a gelatincapsule which is discarded after a single use; such capsule being placedin a receptacle connected to the engine and ruptured by forcing apuncturing element into the capsule for discharging its contents to theinterior of said engine.

The present invention provides novel and improved means for receiving arupturable capsule containing engine-starting fluid, and for puncturingsaid capsule and discharging its contents intothe engine. A feature ofthe invention resides in the provision of a compact, easily manipulable,capsule-receiving and puncturing unit which may be conveniently kept inthe glove com,-

partment of an automobile when not in use, and which ,may beexpeditiously utilized to puncture a capsule and discharge the startingfluid into the engine when such is desired. In this way there need be nopuncturing unit mounted on the automobile dash and taking up room in thepassenger compartment; and instead there may be mounted on the dash asimple fitting, connected to the intake manifold of the engine, to whichfitting the puncturing unit, after receiving a capsulef may be quicklyapplied to discharge the capsule contents and then speedily removed.

A more specific feature of the invention comprises a capsule-receivingand puncturing unit having provisions enabling the capsule to bepunctured prior to applying said unit to the fitting on the dash, andfor discharging the contents of the punctured capsule into said fittingWhen said unit is applied thereto.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a view in vertical longitudinal section, with parts inelevation, showing a capsule receiving and puncturing unit embodying myinvention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of a detail.

Fig. 3 is a view of a portion of the unit of Fig. l, showing a plungerwithdrawn to permit insertion of a capsule.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation showing a fitting on the dashboard ofan automobile and connected to the intake-manifold of the engine; whichfitting is adapted to 'receive starting-fluid from a capsule in theaforementioned puncturing unit and to transmit the same to said engine.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown at II (Fig. 5) a fitting onthe dashboard I 2 of an automobile, and connected through piping I3 tothe intake-manifold of the engine I4. The fitting II may be of anydesired type for normally maintaining the corresponding end of the pipeI3 closed and for opening said end when a complemental fitting on thecapsule-containing unit is applied thereto. For instance, the fitting IImay be a conventional Alemite fitting commonly employed on bearings andother parts of automobiles, and having a check valve therein fornormally preventing access to the interior of such bearing but operableto permit grease under pressure to be projected into said bearing when agrease-gun is applied to the fitting and operated. It will, of course,be understood that the fitting II may be located on the flooror otherdesired part of the automobile, instead of on the dash.

The capsule receiving and puncturing unit is designated generally at I5.It has at one end a fitting I8, complemental to the fitting II on thedash. Said fitting I6 may be a conventional grease-gun fitting, adapted,when applied to a fitting such as II, to permit the fluid contents ofthe unit I5 to be projected through said fitting `II into the pipe I3and thence to the intakemanifold of the engine I4. The fitting I6 may,for instance, be oi the Well-known type having bayonet slots (one ofwhich is shown at IG) for engagement With pins II on tting II, andenabling the fitting I6 to be secured to said fitting II when saidfitting I6 is given a quarter turn. The stem I6" of fitting I6 mayconveniently be threaded into the casting I1 of the unit I5, said stemhaving in its end ai port IB'" communicating with a bore or passage I8in the interior of said casting I1. The lower end of said bore I8 may,asshown, be closed by a removable plug I 9.

Normally the passage of fluid from the bore lI3 through the fitting I6is prevented by a check valve in said fitting, such as the valve shownat 29 which may be normally pressed by a spring 2| against an end of theport l", thus cutting off communication between the bore |3 and theinterior of the tting I6.

An extension |1 of the casting I1 is hollow and threaded at oppositeends. One end receives a cylindrical barrel 22, and the other a plug 23.Slidable with a close t within the barrel 22 is a piston or plunger 24having a rod 25 secured to a disk or handle 26 external to said barrel22 and secured to cylindrical sleeve 21 which fits over said barrel. Theinner end of said sleeve 21 may be provided with a bayonet slot 28 (Fig.2) for receivingr a pin 29 on the barrel 22. It will be apparent that,when the parts are in the positions shown in Figs. l and 2, the sleeve21 is locked against movement and the piston 24 is locked in theposition shown. However, by pushing inwardly slightly on the disk 26,and then rotating the latter to bring the open longitudinal portion 28'of the bayonet slot opposite pin 29, the sleeve 21 and piston 24 may beretracted into the position shown in Fig. 3. When in this position, saidpiston and sleeve expose an opening 30 in the wall of the barrel 22,through which opening a capsule containing starting fluid may beinserted into the interior of the barrel, between the piston 24 and apuncturing blade 3|. The latter is attached to or formed integrally witha washer 3|' inserted in the casting extension l1 ahead of the plug 23.As shown in Fig. 4, said Washer 3| is provided with a flattened portion3| engaging a correspondingly attened inner Wall portion of the castingextension l1', so that the plug 23 may be unscrewed when desired withoutrotating the blade 3| among any accumulated capsule portions.

If desired, the outward movement of the sleeve 21 and piston 24 may belimited by a pin 32 in the barrel 22, which pin extends into a slot 33(Fig.3) in the sleeve 21.

It will, of course, be ,e

understood thatlthe upper or outer end of said u slot 33 has ahorizontal portion terminating in a slightvertical dip corresponding tothe formation of the bayonet slot 28, so that the pin 32 will notprevent operation of the sleeve 21 into the position shown in Fig. 2,wherein pin 29 is engaged in a slight vertical dip extending from f thehorizontal portion of slot 28.

Following the retraction of the plunger 24 into the position shown inFig. 3, and the insertion of a capsule through the opening 39, the'plunger 1s moved inwardly, and the capsule is punctured by the blade 3|.Conveniently, the plunger 24 may have a recess 34 for receiving theblade 3| so that the plunger may be moved fully inwardly intooverlapping relation with the blade and thus permit shortening of thesleeve 21 and a more compact arrangement of the parts.

When the plunger 24 is moved inwardly from its :position shown in Fig. 3to that of Fig. 1 following the insertion of a capsule, throughIopening'3l, the capsule is punctured by the blade 3| and 1s also crushedby the piston. The Huid contents of the capsule ll the interior of thecastmg extension I1' but will not enter the bore |8 until a check valve35 is retracted. Said valve 35 may, as shown, be nilunted in a hollowfitting F 36 threaded into the upper portion of the bore I8, and may benormally pressed by a spring 31 to close a port 38 in the upper end of'said tting. Said port communicates with the interior of the castingextension l1', which, as. above.

noted, contains the fluid contents of the punctured capsule.

For controlling the operation of the check valves 20 and 35 I provideanother piston 39, movable with a close fit in a barrel 49 which isthreaded at one end into the casting |1. A passage 49 providescommunication between the bore |8 and the interior of said barrel 4U.The rod 42 of piston 4G has at its. opposite end an extension 40'threaded into a handle 43. The latter, as shown, is in the form of apistol grip. A cylindrical sleeve 44 ts over the barrel 4!) and has anend 44 provided with an opening through which projects the reducedextension 49 of piston rod 42, said sleeve end being interposed betweenthe handle and an annular shoulder 42 on the piston rod.

A latch 45, in the form of a bell-crank lever, is pivoted at 46 on thehandle 43. A projection 41 on one of the arms 41 of said latch isadapted to pass through openings in the sleeve 44 and barrel 40 whensaid sleeve is moved to its innermost position on said barrel. Therebythe sleeve is locked to the barrel. Said projection is maintained inlocking position by a spring 48 interposed .between the handle 43 andarm 49 of the latch 45.

It will readily be seen that, by grasping the handle 43 and pressing thelatch arm 49 toward the handlei the operator may withdraw projection 41'from engagement with the sleeve 44 and barrel 40. The operator may thenretract the handle 43, sleeve 44, and piston 39 to their outermostposition; during which movement the reduction in pressure in the spacebetween the receding piston and the valve 35 causes said valve to openand permit fiuid from the punctured capsule to flow through the fitting36 into the bore |8, and thence into the interior of the han rel 49. Tolimit outward movement of the pis ton 39 and associated parts, a stop 5Umay be mounted on the barrel 49 for engagement with a longitudinal slot5| in the sleeve 44.

Upon thereafter returning the handle 43, sleeve 44, and piston 39 totheir innermost positions. shown in Fig. 1, the fluid in advance of thepiston 39 is compressed, overcoming the action'of the spring 2| on thechecli valve 29, and escapes through the fitting |61 When the sleeve 44arrives in its innermost position, the latch 45 may be released and willagain lock the sleeve and associated parts to the barrel.

When not in use, the capsule-receiving unit i5 may be' conveniently keptin the automobile glove compartment. To use it, the operator firstsimply retracts the handle 26 and plunger 24 to the Fig. 3 position,inserts a capsule through opening 30, and returns the handle and plunger24 to their positions shown in Fig. l, thus puncturing and collapsingthe capsule. The operator then, grasping the handle 43, applies thefitting llover the tting on the dash-board and gives the handle' aquarter turn to lock the fittings together through the engagement ofbayonet slots I6 and pins When this is done, the operator presses thelatch arm 49, releasing the sleeve 44, and pulls out on the handle 43 toretract the piston 39 and draw starting fluid through the valve fitting36 into the bore I8 and barrel 49. Following retraction of said piston39, the Aoperator returns the handle 43 to its Fig. l position,compressing the starting fluid in advance of the 'piston, and forcingsaid fluid past check valve 20, "through tting i6, into fitting andthence page the check valve insaid sitting Il into pipe i3 and theengine manifold. Upon the return of handle 43 to its Fig. 1 position thelatch arm 49 may be released so that said handle and sleeve 44 are againlocked in that position. Following this discharge of said fiuid to saidmanifold, the.

unit I5 is turned reversely to disconnect fitting I6 from said fittingIl, and is then withdrawn and returned to the glove compartment. Theplug 23 may be unscrewed whenever desired to afford access to the washer3| and blade 3|, which may then be removed to clean said blade and towithdraw used-capsule fragments from the interior of the fitting I1'.

The removable plug I9 enables convenient access to the valve 35 Wheneverdesired.

The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation, and I have no intention, in the useof such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of thefeatures shown and described or portions thereof, but recognize thatvarious modifications are possible within the scope of the inventionclaimed.

I claim:

1. A device for puncturing a starting-fiuid capsule and expelling saidfiuid, said device comprising, in combination, a chamber for receiving acapsule, puncturingmeans therein, a second chamber, valve means normallypreventing escape of fiuid from said first to said second chamber butoperable to permit such escape, means movable in one direction to causeoperation of said valve means tol permit such escape, a fittingconnected to said second chamber, and valve means normally preventingescape of fiuid from said second chamber through said fitting butoperable upon actuation of said movable means in the opposite directionto permit such escape.

2. A device for puncturing a starting fluid capsule puncturing means, asecond chamber for receiving fluid from the punctured capsule, a fittingcommunicating with said second chamber and adapted for engagement with acomplemental fitting on said automobile for passing said fluid thereto,and means in said second chamber for drawing fluid from the first men'-tioned chamber and discharging said fluid through said fittings.

3. In combination, means forl puncturing a starting-fluid capsule, afitting adapted foi engagement with a complemental fitting incommunication with -an automobile engine, and means for withdrawingfluid from the punctured capsule and expelling said fluid through saidfittings. u

4. In combination, means for puncturing a starting-fiuid capsule, afitting providing an outlet for said fluid, and means for conductingsaid fluid from the punctured capsule to said fitting, said fittingbeing adapted to telescopic engagement with and disengagement from acomplemental fitting communicating with an automobile engine.

5. In combination, a chamber for receiving` a starting-fiuid capsule,means in said chamber for puncturing said capsule, a fitting providingan outlet for said fiuid, passage means leading from said chamber tosaid fitting, and valve means controlling fiow of fiuid in said passagemeans, said fitting being adapted for telescopic engagement with anddisengagement from a complemental fitting communicating with anautomobile engine.

6. A starting-fiuid capsule applicator comprising a chamber forreceiving a capsule, means in said chamber for puncturing said capsule,passage means for conducting fiuid from the punctured capsule away fromsaid chamber, an outlet fitting communicating with said passage, saidfitting being adapted for telescopic engagement with and disengagementfrom a complemental fitting communicating with an automobile engine, andreciprocable plunger means for withdrawing fiuid from said chamber tosaid passage and forcing said fiuid into said outlet fitting.

7. A starting-fiuid capsule applicator comprising a chamber forreceiving a capsule, means in said chamber for puncturing said capsule,passage means for conducting fluid from the punctured capsule away fromsaid chamber, an outlet fitting communicating with said passage, saidfitting being adapted for telescopic engagement with and disengagementfrom a complemental fitting communicating with an automobile engine, anda handle for transporting said applicator to said complemental fittingand applying said outlet fitting thereto.

8. A starting-fiuid capsule applicator comprising a chamber forreceiving a capsule, means in said chamber for puncturing said capsule,passage means for conducting fluid from the punctured capsule away fromsaid chamber, an outlet fitting communicating with said passage, saidfitting being adapted for telescopic engagement with and disengagementfrom a complemental fitting communicating with an automobile engine, andreciprocable plunger means for lwithdrawing fiuid from said chamber tosaid passage and forcing said fiuid into said outlet fitting, a handleattached to said plunger for reciprocating the same, and retractiblemeans normally latching said handle to a portion of said applicator.

9. A starting-fiuid capsule applicator comprising a chamber forreceiving a capsule, means in said chamber for puncturing said capsule.passage means for conducting fiuid from the punctured capsule away fromsaid chamber, an outlet fitting communicating with said passage, saidfitting being adapted for telescopicengagement with and disengagementfrom a complemental fitting communicating with an automobile engine,means comprising a reciprocable plunger for withdrawing fiuid from saidchamber to said passage and forcing said fluid through said outletfitting, a housing surrounding said plunger and defining a chambertherefor, a handle attached to said plunger for reciprocating the sameand retractible means normally latching said handle to said housingwhereby the applicator may be transported by said handle to saidcomplemental fitting and said outlet fitting engaged therewith.

10. A starting-fluid capsule applicator comprising a chamberforreceiving a capsule, means in said chamber for puncturing saidcapsule, passage means for conducting fiuid from the punctured capsuleaway from said chamber, an outlet fitting communicating with saidpassage, said fitting being adapted for telescopic engagement with anddisengagement from a complemental fitting communicating with anautomobile engine, means comprising a reciprocable plunger forwithdrawing fiuid from said chamber to said passage and forcing saidfluid through said outlet fitting. a housing sui'rounding said plungerand dening a chamber therefor, a handle attached to said plunger forreciprocating the same, a sleeve attached to said plunger andsurrounding said housing, and a retractible latch carried by said handleand engageable with openings in said sleeve and housing when saidplunger is in a predetermined position.

1l. A starting-fluid capsule applicator comprising a chamber forreceiving a capsule, means in said chamber for puncturing said capsule,passage means for conducting fluid from the punctured capsule away fromsaid chamber, an outlet fitting communicating with said passage, saidfitting being adapted for telescopic engagement with and disengagementfrom a complemental fitting communicating with an automobile engine,valve means normally preventing escape of fluid from said chamber tosaid passage but operable to permit such escape, other valve meansnormally preventing escape of fluid from said passage through saidoutlet tting but operable to permit such escape, a second chambercommunicating with said passage, and a plunger in second chamberlmovable in one direction for drawing iiud through the first valve meansinto said passage and in the other direction for forcing said iluidthrough the other valve means and said outlet tting.

12. A starting-fluid capsule applicator comprising a chamber forreceiving a capsule, means in said chamber for puncturing said capsule,passage means for conducting fluid from the punctured capsule away fromsaid chamber, an outlet fitting communicating with said passage, saidfitting being adapted for telescopic engagement with and disengagementfrom a complemental itting communicating with an aut-omobile engine,valve means normally preventing escape of iiuid from said chamber tosaid passage but operable to permit such escape, other valve meansnormally preventing escape of uid from said passage through said outletfitting but operable to permit such escape, a second chambercommunicating with said passage, and a plunger in said second chambermovable in one direction for drawing iiuid through the first valve meansinto said passage and in the other direction for forcing said fluidthrough the other valve means and said outlet tting, and a pistol-griphandle attached to said plunger for reciprocating the same.

13. A starting-fluid capsule applicator comprising a chamber forreceiving a capsule, a stationary puncturing tool removably mountedadjacent one end of said chamber, a removable plug mounted in said endof said chamber, and means in said chamber movable in one direction forpermitting insertion of a capsule and in the opposite direction forforcing said capsule against said tool.

I 14. A starting-:duid capsule applicator comprising a chamber, apuncturing tool adjacent one end of said chamber, an opening in ia, Wallof said chamber, and means in said chamber movable in one direction topermit insertion of a capsule through said opening and in the opposite'direction for forcing said capsule against said tool.

15. A starting-fluid capsule applicator comprising a chamber, apuncturing tool adjacent one end of said chamber, an opening in a wailof said chamber, and means in said chamber movable in one direction topermit insertion of a capsule through said opening and in the oppositedirection for forcing said capsule against said tool, and a sleevesurrounding said chamber and movable with said movable means.

16. A starting-huid capsule applicator, comprising means for receivingand puncturing a capsule, an outlet fitting adapted for rtelescopicengagement with and disengagement from a complemental ttingcommunicating with an automobile engine, and pumping means forwithdrawing fiuid from said chamber and expelling said fluid throughsaid outlet tting.

17. A starting-fluid capsule applicator, comprising means for receivingand puncturing a capsule, an outlet tting adapted for telescopicengagement with and disengagement from a complemental fittingcommunicating with an automobile engine, pumping means for withdrawinguid from said chamber and expelling said fluid through said outletfitting, and a pistol-grip handle -for applying said outlet fitting tosaid complemental fitting and operating said pumping means.

18. A starting-uid capsule applicator, comprising means for receivingand puncturing a capsule, an outlet tting adapted for telescopicengagement with and disengagement from a complemental ttingcommunicating with an automobile engine, pumping means for withdrawingfluid from said chamber and expelling said fluid through said outlettting, and a pistol-grip handie for applying said outlet fitting to saidcomplemental itting and operating said pumping means, latching means forholding said handle locked to a portion of said applicator duringapplication of said outlet tting to said complemental fitting, and meansactuable by the operator for retracting said latching means prior tooperation of said pumping means.

CLARK J. MOODY.

REFERENGES The following references are of record in the file of thispatent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,364,356 Greathouse Dec. 5, 1944FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 2,252 Great Britain of 1913 538,065Great Britain of 1941

